In love’s great ocean, whose calm-shelter’d shore Must he for ever leave, whose soul is bound On farthest quest, life’s wonders to explore— That mightiest flood, all-whelming, torment-toss’d, Wherein must ev’ry lover’s self be lost Ere the BelovÉd’s lovelier self be found— Think not, O searcher, in that sea to find Food for thine earth-born strength & lustful show, Nor glorious pearl to deck thy worldly mind, Nor isle of ease; all such doth he forego Who, recking nought of hurt to pride or limb, Heark’neth to love’s unchallengeable call: Yea, who would venture, no help is for him Save whole surrender; health, strength, life & all.
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